A Waterloo Region Record blog on the Kitchener Rangers

January 22, 2013

Net issues

Seeing Franky Palazzese take on his former mates reminded me of an issue I've wanted to bring up since the trade went down about two weeks ago - the future in net.

Technically, John Gibson can return next year as an overager. But it's not going to happen. He'll be in Anaheim at best, or skating for the club's farm team the Norfolk Admirals.

Right now, 17-year-old Jack Moylan is the man.

The Rangers have been grooming him for two years now. The only problem is that he has played just four OHL games. So, he's going to be raw next year.

By all accounts, the team is happy with his progression. But his Jr. B numbers with the Kitchener Dutchmen are concerning.

So far this season, Moylan is 9-7-1-1. His GAA ranks 40th in the GOJHL at 3.62. His save percentage comes in at .888. Last Tuesday vs. Listowel, he allowed five first period goals in an 8-4 loss.

The Tillsonburg kid will get his shot in between the pipes next year. But the Rangers still need a second netminder to push him for minutes.

The Rangers are going to have to get creative as the OHL market looks very thin next season. Perhaps goalie coach Piero Greco can find another gem ala Palazzese -- whom the Rangers acquired for a second and sixth rounder.

Here are three other options:

Eric Bogart, (15th round, 2011)

At 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds, the kid has size. The net presence has had some NHL scouts swirling around the 17-year-old. Bogart, a London native, has been playing at Kimball Union Academy, a prep school in New Hampshire. The team is 18-1 and Bogart is 8-1 with a .943 save percentage. He has not committed to an NCAA school as of yet.

Matthew Greenfield, (12th round, 2011)

Greenfield (in photo) stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs in at 195 pounds. He's currently backstopping Team Illinois' Under-18 squad and is 8-6-2 with one shutout. He has a 2.87 GAA and .900 save percentage. He is also on the market and hasn't declared his NCAA intentions going forward.

Both players are still in the Rangers' mix.

Import draft pick

Kitchener is also considering using one of its 2013 import draft picks on a goalie. The Rangers have had several American goalies and a bunch from Quebec, but I can't remember if the club has ever had a European in the crease.

Comments

Seeing Franky Palazzese take on his former mates reminded me of an issue I've wanted to bring up since the trade went down about two weeks ago - the future in net.

Technically, John Gibson can return next year as an overager. But it's not going to happen. He'll be in Anaheim at best, or skating for the club's farm team the Norfolk Admirals.

Right now, 17-year-old Jack Moylan is the man.

The Rangers have been grooming him for two years now. The only problem is that he has played just four OHL games. So, he's going to be raw next year.

By all accounts, the team is happy with his progression. But his Jr. B numbers with the Kitchener Dutchmen are concerning.

So far this season, Moylan is 9-7-1-1. His GAA ranks 40th in the GOJHL at 3.62. His save percentage comes in at .888. Last Tuesday vs. Listowel, he allowed five first period goals in an 8-4 loss.

The Tillsonburg kid will get his shot in between the pipes next year. But the Rangers still need a second netminder to push him for minutes.

The Rangers are going to have to get creative as the OHL market looks very thin next season. Perhaps goalie coach Piero Greco can find another gem ala Palazzese -- whom the Rangers acquired for a second and sixth rounder.

Here are three other options:

Eric Bogart, (15th round, 2011)

At 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds, the kid has size. The net presence has had some NHL scouts swirling around the 17-year-old. Bogart, a London native, has been playing at Kimball Union Academy, a prep school in New Hampshire. The team is 18-1 and Bogart is 8-1 with a .943 save percentage. He has not committed to an NCAA school as of yet.

Matthew Greenfield, (12th round, 2011)

Greenfield (in photo) stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs in at 195 pounds. He's currently backstopping Team Illinois' Under-18 squad and is 8-6-2 with one shutout. He has a 2.87 GAA and .900 save percentage. He is also on the market and hasn't declared his NCAA intentions going forward.

Both players are still in the Rangers' mix.

Import draft pick

Kitchener is also considering using one of its 2013 import draft picks on a goalie. The Rangers have had several American goalies and a bunch from Quebec, but I can't remember if the club has ever had a European in the crease.